Attaching tie downs to OUTSIDE of bed

I want to be able to have a tarp completely cover my bed and contents. That means having tie down points on the outside of the bed. I'm tired of using bungee cords stretched to the bottom of the vehicle, and I don't trust them to stay put.

Lots of tie downs are available, but I don't know how to attach them securely (welding is not an option). Are there any kind of expansion type bolts that can be used? I just want to drill holes and attach the tie downs securely.

Thanks,

Carl

 

Nutsert or pop rivet....

 

You can use rivnuts (aka rivet nut or expansion nut). I’d caution that the mounts wouldn’t be super strong to tie anything down other than a tarp because of the thin sheet metal on these trucks but it’ll work.

 

Agreed. I wouldn't do it without at least a backing plate. Or some internal reinforcement bracket in slight tension between the sheet metal and.l inner bed wall. Anything to reduce psi and vibration that would work the hell out of the sheetmetal.

 

Could do through bolts to the bed rail, which is near the top bend, which would be stronger and reduce fatigue significantly.

 

Here is a very thorough writeup over at the Ferd forums:

https://www.f150forum.com/f71/outside-bed-cargo-tie-down-system-165166/

 

If it were me, I'd build a flat piece of steel that bolts to the bedrail and has hooks on the outboard side. Bedside sheet metal is just not intended to be load bearing, and tarps can pull pretty hard when the wind gets them.

 

Something made like this:

 

I was going to suggest bungee cords stretched to the bottom of your vehicle.

 

Attached to the driveshaft, it'll self tighten.

 

Etrailer.com

 

i like this to, cant find it on the site, any ideas what this is called thanks

 

I would go with cam straps such as those use for securing kayaks than bungee cords. They're long enough to wrap it around to any point on the frame with less chance of failing like bungee cords due to wear and constant tension.

 

I like the old school rails like they use on overseas trucks. You'd definitely need some sort of backing plates. They are more for lashing tarps, but of course they used for cargo as well.

Example:





Of course I prefer this style bed too, Toyotas and Datsuns/Nissan came with them and they are far more useful than today's slick bedsides.

 

I miss my Dad's '80 Pickup. Had those handy hooks on the bedsides.

 

I think old Toyota Pickups had them. And the current new 70 series in Australia that gets all the good stuff.

It appears during the era's between those two models stateside, Toyota elected to not use BrainPower as part of design

 

Wow! Lot's of great responses. Thanks so much I really like the outside rails!

 

stop it What is this called . . .

 

Yes, because my google-fu is failing me...